Volunteer barber allowed to keep cutting hair for free, city says

One good thing a free people search can bring is a way to identify and recommend the work of those who often slip by us. There are more people willing to do good deeds than you may realize, and one such example may be seen in Hartford, Connecticut, where a man named Anthony "Joe the Barber" Cymerys cuts the hair of the homeless once a week, free of charge. A recent order from city officials made it seem like he might be forbidden from doing this, but Mayor Pedro Sagarra has instead honored the man for his selflessness.

Last week brought a minor upset when local fixture Cymerys, who offers his services in the city's Bushnell Park, was told that he would have to cease giving haircuts due to potential legal and health concerns, as he is not a professional barber but simply a person who likes to help others.

However, whatever issues he raised seem to have been dismissed, as the city has decided to continue to let Joe do his work. According to NBC Connecticut, Cymerys, who has done public and charity work for 25 years, has been granted an official exception.

"If Mr. Cymerys wants to secure a state license, the City will assist him in doing so," a statement from Mayor Sagarra's office read, allowing the 82-year-old Cymerys to continue in an officially recognized capacity.

Individuals who offer services like this may be overlooked due to their lack of record, but that doesn't mean they aren't worth noting and commending. Running a people search by name can help interested parties take a more organized approach toward finding a trustworthy individual and help them gain recognition for their positive influence.